Normally, Apple would just continue pushing its iPhone using same old marketing tricks, which entail heavy advertising, the power of the Apple brand and lots of free press. But heightened competition, slowing smartphone sales and ongoing uncertainty about the economy presumably prompted Tim Cook and his leadership team to implement changes to how the firm goes about selling smartphones.

Sales tactics changes on the agenda reportedly include a trade-in program, improvements to price-matching policies internationally and promotions akin to Apple’s Back to School program. Jump past the fold for the full breakdown…

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook along with SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue and SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi discussed iPhone sales push with the company’s retail store leadership for approximately three hours during a summit at San Francisco’s Fort Mason on June 27, reports the well-informed Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac.

Dissatisfied that 80 percent of all iPhones are not purchased from Apple Stores, Cook underscored that more incentives for customers and Apple Stores will be introduced at Apple’s July 28 quarterly meetings for Retail.

The iPhone is Apple’s central “gateway product” to other devices like iPads and Macs, so it is critical that the Apple smartphone is sold via an Apple Store so new customers are immediately exposed to iPads, Macs and other devices on the showroom floor.

Even though 80% of iPhones are not sold at Apple Stores, 50% of all serviced iPhones are troubleshooted, repaired, or replaced at Apple Store Genius Bars. Cook reportedly hinted that he would like those numbers to be more in line.

The new Back to School promotion ($50 iTunes Gift Cards on qualifying iPhone purchases for students) is one facet of Apple’s iPhone sales push.

Gurman says in-store trade-in program is also being considered with “a large, promoted presence in Apple Stores”, as Bloomberg asserted last month. Customers could be encouraged to upgrade a damaged older iPhone model to a refurbished iPhone 5, according to one source.

Other elements of the strategy reportedly include improvements to price-matching policies internationally, major store openings in Europe, including a new store in Italy, and aggressive iOS 7 promotion later this year in light of the importance of the company’s mobile operating system to its fortunes.

The firm recently tested a new approach to a great success in countries like India, where Android cheapos have eroded its market standing to a single-digit figure. If I were Apple, I’d introduce installment payments across all brick-and-mortar Apple Stores.

A cash-back deal in India where consumers use American Express to purchase a qualifying iPhone also has lots of potential. And if interest-free payment plans work in China, why not roll them out everywhere?

For what it’s worth, Apple is thought to have partnered up with Barclays and T-Mobile USA to offer 24 months no interest when buying a new iPhone on T-Mobile at Apple Stores.

As you can see, there’s lots of untapped potential to boost sales internationally should Apple be willing to relax its strict approach to selling iPhones.

Also, Apple’s Retail Management has been instructed “to consistently note to employees why they are critical and appreciated”.

Last, but not the least, one person apparently said to expect “an army of new products this Fall.”

Whether or not the cryptic comment alludes to new gizmos already in the pipeline – like the upcoming iPad 5, iPhone 5S, fourth-generation Apple TV, a next-gen Mac Pro and refreshed MacBook Pros – remains to be seen.

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Why are you putting you bias in this article? Instead of framing it as Apple using the leverage of their retail stores, you made it seem as though they are desperate. Maybe they are, but you posited nothing to warrant such a claim.

Again, I ask: why do you write for an Apple-focused blog when you clearly dislike Apple?

seyss

what?

MOM

hello son

Kurt

wow, fanboy much?

Raul Henriquez

Couldn’t Agree more

Dr. Joseph S. Curcio

I recently was able to trade my old iPhone 4, AT&T, for a new iPhone 5 at RadioShack
for even money. I didn’t have to spend a dime.
This was a great deal.
Apple could set up a $ trade in scale for in store trade ups
and really jack up the sales numbers if they could meet or beat anywhere else that can be found online by a simple search.
Drjoepa, 7/3/13, Honolulu

http://klikkit.co.uk/ Jake – Klikkit

what you just did a straight swap? iPhone 4 for iPhone 5? or iPhone 4 for iPhone 5 then a monthly contract with the iPhone 5?

so it was subsidised, meaning that your comment was totally irrelevant to the post.

That’s like me trading in my 2004 Audi TT, and getting a 2013 model free, then paying £2000 a month

Dr. Joseph S. Curcio

Jake,
The 2 yr. AT&T contract was part of the deal and basically, RadioShack paid me $149.00 for an iPhone 4 and I paid $149.00 for the iPhone 5 and extended my contract for 2 more years. Did you find a better deal for the same upgrade anywhere else ?
Check around and you will not find a better deal anywhere. I traded a very old, used iPhone 4 for a spanky new iPhone 5. What’s your deal ?
Any better ? The original post was about how Apple will increase in store sales and I think what I described would be an ideal way to increase Apple in store sales, don’t you ?

http://klikkit.co.uk/ Jake – Klikkit

I paid £129, got a free iPod nano 7th gen, the UK’s first 4G with speeds at 60Mbps (they get doubled today) and I pay £21.50 on a business plan for 24 months.

This is all irrelevant however.. as the discussion is about trade ins, and you compared it with phone contracts

blastingbigairs

I just want to know why a dude is driving a TT and not an S4?????

http://klikkit.co.uk/ Jake – Klikkit

Haha brilliant

blastingbigairs

Just messing with ya bro, TT’s are amazing!! Audi forever!!!

http://klikkit.co.uk/ Jake – Klikkit

Thanks, I love it, I’m waiting for the mark 3 to come out and I’ll buy the current mark 2, possibly an S-line (not too sure yet)

Guest

Just messing with you, I love the TT’s too. Audi forever!!!

https://twitter.com/MrElectrifyer MrElectrifyer

I predict the in-store trade-in program will be as money saving as all their other sales; trade-in your iPhone 4S and save $50 on a new iPhone 5…

Rockwell mellow

Don’t change the product, change the ads…

Dr. Joseph S. Curcio

Service from a provider costs the same if you bring your own phone or get one from them on an even trade/swap.
The idea of getting this trade for a model iPhone 4 vs. the new iPhone 5, that’s the trick.